The Auckland Indian Diaspora Group will celebrate India’s 74th Republic Day on Sunday, 22nd January 2023 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, four days before the official Republic Day on January 26.
The event will begin at 10 am at the Auckland Indian Association’s Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road, Eden Terrace, Auckland. The programme will begin with the hoisting of the Indian national flag hoisting.
Dhansukh Lal, President of Auckland Indian Association, said, "Auckland Indian Association, together with the wider Indian diaspora organisations, is celebrating India's Republic Day at Mahatma Gandhi Centre on Sunday. We will have flag hoisting at 10.30 am, followed by a few cultural performances from various states in India. After the cultural programme, delicious lunch will be served. I urge everyone to come and celebrate this event with your family and friends.”
Parking is free, and entry is free as well.
The list of performers includes big names such as Vidya Teke of Aarohi Academy of Music, Prachi Purandare of Brijshyam Kalakunj Kathak Kendra, Khottey Sikkey Dance Group, Jhoomelo- Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand cultural dance group, New Zealand Telugu Association group dance and Punjabi cultural association group dance among others.
Narendra Bhana, President of New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc, seemed excited about the event. He said, "On behalf of New Zealand Indian Central Association Inc, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all Indians living in New Zealand and abroad a very happy India Republic Day. I look forward to participating in the amazing celebration by Auckland Indian Diaspora Group at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre on Sunday and hope to see our community members join in in large numbers.”
Suneel Kuncha, President of the New Zealand Telugu Association, shares the same sentiment. He says, "It's an absolute honour and privilege to be part of India Republic Day celebrations on Sunday at Mahatma Gandhi Centre along with the Auckland Indian diaspora organisations. With pride, great enthusiasm and patriotism, Indian communities in Auckland look forward to celebrating the date on which the constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950. Vande Mataram.”
It is not just the diaspora organisations looking forward to the event; even the Kiwi Indian community members are enthusiastic about being part of the celebration.
Harsheen Kaur, who hails from Delhi and currently stays in Papatoetoe, says, "I am looking forward to being at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre on Sunday. It will be a great opportunity to witness a glimpse of our rich Indian culture right in Auckland, and what better occasion than the Republic Day celebration?"
Another Kiwi Indian, Gurjas Singh, who resides in Flatbush and is originally from Ludhiana, says, "This is a great opportunity to meet the extended Kiwi Indian community. I will also be taking my family, including my kids Prachi (11) and Simran (9), as I feel it will be a great opportunity for them to connect with their Indian roots and learn about the heritage and history of our motherland, India."